What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Health Advocate position at Shasta County?
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under supervision to perform a variety of paraprofessional health duties related to community outreach, referral-based client follow up, and community organizing; and to perform related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Community Health Advocate is a paraprofessional class and is distinguished from the professional classes in that the Community Health Advocate is not licensed to provide direct health care delivery. It is distinguished from a Public Health Assistant, who performs clerical work, assists the health professional in the clinic, and does not have responsibilities for independent community outreach.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Community Health Advocates with the Economic Mobility Branch work in partnership with residents, communities, organizations, and service providers to improve the state of public health in Shasta County through community-based outreach and advocacy. They aid in the completion of applications such as Medi-Cal; CalWORKs; CalFresh; IHSS, and housing. Services are provided in regional offices, community outreach events, or individuals’ homes.
Community Health Advocates in the Economic Mobility Branch offer assistance with eligibility services, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WIC, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and CalWORKs through their multiple locations (Anderson, Shasta Lake, Burney, and in Redding at Enterprise and Cascade offices). In addition, they provide advocacy and referrals to needed services.
The ideal candidate will have strong bilingual skills and a cultural understanding of the Hispanic, Mien, Laos, or other Southeast Asian communities. The ideal candidate shall have effective interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy , and relationship management , and exhibit positive and open body language with respect and an open mind. The candidate should be able to work collaboratively with various groups and persons, communicate effectively both written and orally, and display a commitment and work ethic that maintains harmonious working relationships and teamwork. The ideal candidate shall have a positive, “can do” attitude and be open to feedback and change. The candidate must understand and respect the diverse populations we aim to serve, including those who are housing insecure, disabled, seniors, chronically ill, or those struggling with addiction or mental illness.
The ideal candidate must be able to work independently yet be an active and contributing team member.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Community Outreach : disseminate health education information and teach basic health practices relating to communicable disease, immunization, mental health, nutrition, and sanitation; relay and discuss findings on health needs and cultural attitudes of the community to the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA); represents HHSA staff on selected community organizations and committees; act as catalyst for culturally appropriate problem solving through community networks to reduce health access barriers; collaborate in the development of culturally attuned services and outreach strategies; and act as liaison between community and the HHSA for improved service delivery.
Referral Based Follow up Activities :
Support the work of the Public Health Nurses and other professional classes; provide appropriate client based interventions and follow up to improve identified health problems according to referrals and guidance from Public Health Nurses and other professional classes; clarify professional and medical instructions to community and referred clients; track and locate clients in support of follow up care; facilitate community and client coordination of HHSA services with other appropriate services; and facilitate culturally competent follow up especially with high-risk clients.
Community Organizing :
May conduct and maintain needs assessment and resource inventory for community; may generate networks and effective community advisory groups to motivate positive health related change in the community and in health care services.
Community Health Advocate may translate on behalf of clients when no alternative translator is available and will perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following :
Knowledge of : Health beliefs and potential health delivery barriers of target population; community outreach and organizing; and the culture of target population.
Ability to : Learn health principles of disease control including health practices related to communicable disease, immunization, mental health, nutrition, and sanitation; to speak Spanish, Mien, or another Southeast Asian language; communicate health principles in a culturally appropriate manner to target populations; work well with HHSA professionals; work well with community members of target population; and organize community networks and Community Advisory Committee. Identify barriers to services and provide advocacy and education to overcome barriers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Minimum qualifications for the position are one (1) year of experience in community outreach or paraprofessional work in a health or social services setting; 15 semester units, including 8 or more in behavioral, health or social sciences, and may be substituted for one year of experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Possession of a valid California driver license.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES
Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12 : 00 p.m., on February 27, 2025. A Resume and / or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and / or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and / or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.
Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and / or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and / or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.
Veterans' Credit : Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE.
Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.
Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.
Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov / fair-chance-act.
SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Salary : $37,812 - $48,252
